Area's big race: Suzio, Bartolomeo in the 13th Senatorial District

With an election only days away, candidates for the 13th Senatorial District weighed in on overwhelming financial issues facing the state that have been years in the making.

Democratic Meriden City Councilwoman Dante Bartolomeo is challenging Republican Sen. Len Suzio, R-Meriden, who is serving his first term in office.

Political observers are keeping a close eye on the race. The district, which covers Middletown, Cheshire and Meriden, is considered a battleground for control of the Senate.

Suzio said he was surprised to learn last year as a member of the Appropriations Committee that there was a projected surplus of $325 million, and proposed spending by the legislature of the same amount.

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"They took every nickel and dime they could," Suzio said.

As far as what to cut, Suzio said those options are limited because of the negotiated contract between the state and the state employees union.

"They tied our hands with employee layoffs, otherwise I'd suggest cutting longevity payments. One hundred and fifty million dollars could be saved in one year. But we have very few choices because of the terrible bargain with state employees which tied us up," he said.

Suzio also suggested that the legislature look at tightening up eligibility standards for Medicaid.

In August, the state saw an increase of 1,700 new applicants on the Medicaid rolls.

Suzio said those on the state State Administered General Assistance, or SAGA program, were moved to the Medicaid program because the state would receive federal funds for Medicaid, and assumed it would save the state money.

While there were about 36,000 individuals in the SAGA program, the Medicaid rolls increased by about 70,000.

Suzio attributed that to less stringent eligibility requirements for Medicaid than the SAGA program, and said he would look at tightening up requirements, such as disqualifying those who have assets in excess of $10,000, for example.

"We need to start looking at these programs. We just don't have the money," he said.

Suzio said he would also like to eliminate the "boondoggles" the state has created, such as the Hartford to New Britain busway.

"I would stop that today if I could. It's a colossal waste. We're throwing good money after bad," he said.

Suzio said even if the highest ridership projections are used, the project amounts to $600 million in bonding for a bus only one-tenth of one percent of the population will use.

Suzio said the busway project is bonded, so it can't be cut. After the project is completed, the state will still have to subsidize its operation at an annual cost of between $15 and $20 million.

His challenger, Bartolomeo, said the first thing she would look at is consolidating more state agencies, which would, she contends, save the state as well as municipalities.

"Some of it has been done, but many in name only. State buildings and agencies in towns are not full," she said.

Bartolomeo said that the unoccupied spaces affect PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes payments to municipalities.

Rather than paying property taxes, the state makes direct payments to municipalities where it owns property. The payments are substantially less than what it would pay in taxes.

"PILOT money will decline. Municipalities won't get 60 percent because of occupancy," she said.

Bartolomeo suggested that the agencies that can consolidate do just that, and the properties the state no longer occupies because of the consolidation be turned over to the town so they can be put back on the tax rolls.

While Suzio voted for the 'First Five' program, he said the way the program has been implemented makes him think it "was a mistake."

"There are no checks and balances. We can give away the store. Look at what's been done. We're giving money to companies already here. Some are laying off workers already. The emphasis should be small business," he said.

Bartolomeo agrees with Suzio when it comes to focusing on small business.

"What's done is done, and I hope the program generates the results it's supposed to, but we need to move forward and concentrate on small business," she said.

As far as the First Five program is concerned, she said that the incentives should be re-evaluated to make sure the program is generating the results it was designed to generate.

Connecticut taxation is high enough for Suzio, so high that he pledged that he will not vote for another tax increase.

"If the governor froze spending, we would have three-quarters of a billion dollars. (Malloy) increased real spending by $1 billion. Tax increases are not on the table. I will not vote for another tax under any circumstances," Suzio said.

Bartolomeo said she has no desire to raise taxes, pointing to the high tax burden on senior citizens and working families.

"They're taxed out. It's nothing I would support," she said.

She cautioned against the pledges some legislators have taken not to raise taxes.

"If you're going to pledge not to raise taxes, then you must also pledge no cuts in aid to towns," she said, explaining that that kind of financial blow would be passed on to towns either as an unfunded mandate or less aid to municipalities.

As far as why he wants to run, Suzio said his extensive background in finance and accounting is something the state needs, given its financial condition.

"I have a good understanding of numbers and how they work. I think very few people in the legislature understand it better than I do. I recognize the catastrophic situation the state is in and will do what I can," he said.

Bartolomeo said her decision to run is because she doesn't believe Suzio is representing the district the way it should be represented.

She pointed to legislation she said Suzio sponsored and supported to eliminate state funding to Planned Parenthood in the state.

"I thought it was unconscionable and protested the legislation, saying that eliminating state funding would impede access to health care.

"It's important people have access, and these people weren't looking for handouts. It's a sliding scale based on what you can afford," she said. She said that about 5 percent of Planned Parenthood's services had to do with abortion.

"I strongly disagreed (with the legislation) so I asked to be in this position. If you complain, you have to be willing to step up," she said.